Conservationists from around the state whose mission is to protect Mississippi’s wildlife legacy will gather for the 56th Mississippi Conservation Achievement Awards Luncheon this month.

The Mississippi Wildlife Federation will host the luncheon at the Hilton Jackson on Feb. 25 at 11:30 a.m. to recognize and honor those whose achievements in natural resource conservation deserve statewide recognition.

Tamara Campbell of Monticello will be honored as Wildlife Conservationist of the Year.

MWF’s Conservation Achievement Awards are among the most prestigious for conservation efforts. They are presented annually on behalf of MWF’s members and supporters and its statewide network of affiliated organizations.

Executive director of the MWF Brad Young said, “These awards are a great way to recognize people who would more or less go unrecognized in their personal and professional lives. It is important to conserve natural resources and educate the next generation and these people have devoted their lives to doing that.”

The keynote speaker for the luncheon will be the National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Collin O’Mara. The NWF is made up of 49 state and territorial affiliates and almost 6 million members and supporters.

Other award winners are:

•Conservationist of the Year, Dr. Ronal Roberson, Charleston

•Fisheries Conservationist of the Year, Dennis Riecke, Brandon

•Soil, Air and Water Conservationist of the Year, Suzette Jetton, Wiggins

•Forest Conservationist of the Year, Stephen Dicke, Clinton

•Youth Conservationist of the Year, Jeremy Morgan, Oxford

•Conservation Educator of the Year, Stephen Ricks, Brandon

•Conservation Communicator of the Year, The Sun Herald, Gulfport

•Conservation Officer of the Year, Master Sergeant Michael Voyles, Iuka

•Hunter Education Volunteer Instructors of the Year, Eves Vincent, Biloxi

•Conservation Partner of the Year, Flower Lake Area Hunting Clubs Association, Tunica

•Catch-A-Dream Volunteer of the Year, Jimmy and Paula Carruth, Brandon

•MWF Scholarship Recipient, Taylor Hackemack, Starkville

“This is our 56th year to present these awards,” Young said. “People who are passionate about the outdoors and conservation look forward to it. It is an honor to be nominated. We are looking forward to recognizing some great people who in some instances have devoted their careers and lives to the conservation effort in Mississippi. I think it’s going to be the best luncheon yet.”